Fiona McIntosh: Voyager Author of the Month

Fiona McIntosh was born and raised in Sussex in the UK, but also spent early childhood years in West Africa. She left a PR career in London to travel and settled in Australia in 1980. She has since roamed the world working for her own travel publishing company, which she runs with her husband. She lives in Adelaide with her husband and twin sons. Her website is at www.fionamcintosh.com.

Her latest book, The Scrivener's Tale, is a stand-alone and takes us back to the world of Morgravia from her very first series, The Quickening:

In the bookshops and cafes of present-day Paris, ex-psychologist Gabe Figaret is trying to put his shattered life back together. When another doctor, Reynard, asks him to help with a delusional female patient, Gabe is reluctant... until he meets her. At first Gabe thinks the woman, Angelina, is merely terrified of Reynard, but he quickly discovers she is not quite what she seems.

As his relationship with Angelina deepens, Gabe's life in Paris becomes increasingly unstable. He senses a presence watching and following every move he makes, and yet he finds Angelina increasingly irresistible.

When Angelina tells Gabe he must kill her and flee to a place she calls Morgravia, he is horrified. But then Angelina shows him that the cathedral he has dreamt about since childhood is real and exists in Morgravia.

A special 10th Anniversary edition of her first fantasy book, Myrren's Gift, will be released in December!

We had so many beautiful entries we decided that we could just pick one winner! Please help congratulate our main prize winner, Shanee Conran who has won herself a complete signed set of The Troy Game series AND our 2 runners up, Katherine & Larisa! Katherine and Larisa, let us know which one of Sara’s books you’d like a signed copy of and we’ll send it out too.
PS Apologies for not announcing the winner on Friday as promised- it was just too hard to pick!

Which of Sara’s series is your favourite? The original Axis trilogy? The Troy Game? To help celebrate Sara’s body of work and her enormous impact and influence on Australian spec-fiction we’re offering to giveway a special signed set of your favourite series!

To enter, simply tell us about your favourite Sara Douglass series and why it means so much to you. We’ll choose a winner next Friday, so you’ve got whole week to decide. Sorry guys, we can only send prizes inside Australia, so you’ll have to have an Australian address to win.

Watch the book trailer and see if you can guess exactly what Tatsania’s Gift is.

Kim will drop some hints in the comments below to guide you. Enter (in the comments) as many times as you like. If you have more than one idea, let’s hear them! Kim is giving away copies of Tatsania’s Gift to the best/closest/most interesting answers. If you make her laugh, you’ll definitely get one! Your choice of Kindle, Kobo or iBook.

About the story Six-year-old Kali is forced to fight for her life when her mother is dragged away by ASSIST and two cruel ′aunties′ turn up to take care of her. But her mother has left her something precious – a gift that can save the world. With it Kali discovers her own magical powers and joins the underground movement where she learns the skills she’ll need to survive on Earth. But no magic in our world could ever prepare her for what is to come . . .

Why a novella?When I finished Journey by Night, book three in the Quantum Encryption series, my publisher and I realised that the first six chapters told a self-contained story of life on 24th century Earth. We decided to start JBN at chapter 7 and turn these first six chapters into a novella, which is now Tatasnia’s Gift. For those new to the Quantum Enchantment and Quantum Encryption series, I hope this story will whet your appetite. If you have devoured the earlier works and are longing for more, this is it! Enjoy!

We are all looking forward to your guesses! See you in the comments.
Tatsania’s Gift is out offically on the 1st of September.

You’ve read the books. You’ve watched the show on TV. Now A Song of Ice and Fire fans can dive right into Westeros and play as a character in the Game of Thrones RPG! The RPG has its own storyline and you can play as either a member of the Night’s Watch or a rogue Knight as part of a detailed story full of political intrigue and twists overseen by George himself.
For your chance to win a copy of the PS3 or Xbox360 version, Comment on this post and tell us in 25 words or less which character from the books you’d love to play as in a game and why. Don’t forget to let us know which version of the game you’d like too.
We’ll choose the winners next Thursday. Australian residents only, sorry!

Journey by Night – A fast-paced story of fantasy and occult adventure, astrology and martial arts…Comment to win!

Kreshkali and Nell have only one task – to save the planet. Of course, I am not making it easy for them. With the September 1st launch of Journey by Night the theme of saving the planet certainly comes to the forefront.

Both Quantum E. series focus on magic, intimacy, shape-shifting, witchcraft and martial arts with all the action playing against the backdrop of two worlds – Gaela, a magical hegemony where energy is derived from thought, and a future Earth where environmental disaster, geo-engineering, totalitarian governments and tectonic plate shifts have taken things to a horrific extreme. Journey by Night concludes a six book saga begun with The Spell of Rosette, wrapping up every thread. (If you can think of anything I left out, email me!)

I’m not going to say how it ends for Earth or Gaela, but I can assert that ten years of research into worst case scenarios has brought me to some terrible, as well as enlightening, conclusions. It has been quite a journey into the current state of our environment and where we can find ways to reverse the global threats hanging over us. Some ideas are embedded in my books but I’ll give you my short list here.

Steps to Saving the Planet

1) Awareness –Ritual magic, witchcraft, deliberate creation, prayer, chanting, evoking, shamanism … these are all words that describe a state of being—a state of awareness. We get what we areand the witch, shaman, devotee or the ‘regular Joe’ can practice deliberately the art of awareness. This is the #1 key to making a difference in the world. It’s called know thyself.

2) Intention – Setting an intention is the next step. You might start with saying I am making a difference. I am going to accomplish . . . I am discovering . . . I am grateful for . . . Just start by saying, ‘I am . . .’ and follow with your heart.

3) Meditation – We do not emphasis the stillness and listening aspect of being in our culture but the benefits for the entire planet are well documented. Over 500 studies have been completed on the physiological, psychological, and sociological effects of TM meditation, making it perhaps the most intensively studied technique in the field of human development. Who’s tried it?

4) Contribution – From an evolutionary biologist’s point of view, human beings are hardwired to connect to 150others. That’s right, 150 people/beings that we know intimately and care for and relate to. Given this, it’s easy to see why so many people feel like something’s missing. (It accounts for why we LOVE the characters in books, celebrities and public figures. They become ‘our people’.) By making a contribution of energy, time, intention, support, we extend our connections to others while participating in the evolution of our planet.

Which of these four steps do you like the most? Post a comment and be in the hat to win a Kim Falconer book of your choice. Most interesting comment wins! We’ll choose a winner by the end of the week ( 26th Aug ).

It’s nearly Christmas and Voyager has the most fabulous present to put under the tree. We’re celebrating the year that was with this awesome prize pack of some of our best and brightest stars of 2010. Begin a new adventure with the following books that are sure to keep you occupied all summer long:

Entry is closed to employees (and their immediate families), agencies or trade customers of HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd and its associated companies.

All entries are via e-mail only. The competition requires entrants to answer a question.

Entries close 5pm Friday 17th December 2010 (AEST) and entrants may enter one (1) time only.

This is a game of skill in which chance plays no part.

The judge’s decision in relation to any aspect of this competition is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

First prize consists of a copy of Secret Ones, Diamond Eyes, Path of the Stray, Unholy Ghosts, Tymon’s Flight, Spellwright, Slave of Sondelle, Pilgrims, Power and Majesty, Being of the Field. Four runners up will receive a copy of a book of their choice from the above list.

Prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash.

All prizes will be awarded. The prize will be awarded the business day following the competition closing date, 5pm Friday 17th December 2010 (AEST) at 25 Ryde Road, Pymble NSW 2073.

The cost of entering the competition is limited to the cost of individuals telephone charges and Internet access rates.

The promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or personal injury suffered or sustained in relation to use of this prize.

All entries received remain the property of HarperCollins Pty Ltd and may be used for additional promotions.

We have so many great new stories from Voyager we just couldn’t choose which one to giveaway. So we will give you a chance to win them all!
Three lucky winners will win a Voyager pack worth over $100. Your pack will include:
K.J Taylor’s tale of a world where griffins rule — The Dark GriffinThe Last Stormlord — The beginning of Glenda Larke’s absorbing new seriesGalileos’s Dream — The dazzling new novel from the acclaimed author of the Mars trilogy Kim Stanley RobinsonWe’ll Always Have Paris – an all-new collection of effortlessly beautiful tales from the author of FAHRENHEIT 451 Ray BradburyRides A Dread Legion — The first book in a blockbuster series by the master of epic fantasy, Raymond E. Feist.

For your chance to win tell us in 25 words or less:

What has been your favourite Voyager book of 2009 and why?

Remember to include your name and address details. Competition closes 5pm Wednesday 30th September 2009. To enter email voyager@harpercollins.com.au with the subject line “New Release Pack”

Competition terms and conditions
1. Information on how to enter forms part of the terms and conditions of entry. Promoter is HarperCollins Publishers Pty Limited ABN 36 009 913 517, 25 Ryde Road, Pymble NSW 2073, Australia.
2. Competition closes at 5pm Wednesday 30th September 2009(AEST).
3. Entry is open to Australian & New Zealandresidents only.
4. Entry is closed to employees (and their immediate families), agencies or trade customers of HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd and its associated companies.
5. All entries are via e-mail only. The competition requires entrants to answer a question.
6. Entries close 5pm Wednesday 30th September 2009(AEST) and entrants may enter one (1) time only.
7. This is a game of skill in which chance plays no part.
8. The judge’s decision in relation to any aspect of this competition is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
9. Prize consists of a Voyager Book Pack valued at more than $100 – The Dark Griffin, The Last Stormlord, Gelileo’s Dream, We’ll Always Have Paris, Rides a Dread Legion
10. Prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash.
11. All prizes will be awarded. The prize will be awarded the business day following the competition closing date, 5pm Wednesday 30th September 2009(AEST) at 25 Ryde Road, Pymble NSW 2073.
12. The cost of entering the competition is limited to the cost of individuals telephony charges and Internet access rates.
13. The promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or personal injury suffered or sustained in relation to use of this prize.
14. All entries received remain the property of HarperCollins Pty Ltd and may be used for additional promotions.